Vt. US Sen. Sanders to discuss 'fiscal cliff'

Republicans want Medicare eligibility age increased

Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders says he'll oppose any effort to raise the age when people become eligible for Medicare health insurance coverage.

Republicans in Congress have proposed raising the age when retirees are eligible for Medicare from its current 65 to 67. They also want to reduce cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security recipients.

Sanders held a news conference on Monday to outline his opposition to those changes, which are being discussed as part of negotiations in Washington to head off a series of tax increases and spending cuts scheduled to take effect next month.

Sanders also said he's upset gas stations in northwestern Vermont appear to be charging more than they need. There's no immediate comment from the companies he singled out, Champlain Oil, R.L. Vallee and SB Collins.

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